Former Fremont High School could become senior housing, community center

Historic photo of the old Fremont High School, which is proposed to become senior citizen housing.

FREMONT, MI -- While the community celebrates the completion of its new high school, Fremont has not turned its back on the old high school that could become senior citizen housing.

Home Renewal Systems is pursuing tax credits that will allow it to turn the historic building into affordable housing as early as the end of next year.

A group of community organizations is hoping to turn the school's pool and gymnasium into a community recreation facility.

The school board recognized the importance of repurposing the old school built in the 1920s and solicited proposals from organizations willing to try it. The board chose HRS, located in Farmington Hills, which has been heavily involved in urban renewal and revitalization projects in the Detroit area.

Morgan said HRS hopes to hear from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority in December whether it will be awarded the tax credits, which will both help pay the costs of restoring the historic structure and subsidize rent for qualifying low-income seniors. The cost of the project is estimated at $13 million, she said.

If the tax credits are granted, construction would begin almost immediately, with completion in no more than 10 to 12 months, she said.

The school, located at 204 E. Main, is about a mile from downtown Fremont and is close to the library, community services and a grocery store. Situated at one of the entry points to town, the school would become The Gateway Senior Housing, under the HRS plan

About 40 apartments, with rent starting in the upper-$200 per month price range, are planned. Morgan said studies show a need for affordable senior housing in the area, and Gateway rents would be based on income.

The project involves removing the center portion of the building, which was added on after the school was built, Morgan said. That portion, which includes an old cafeteria and commons area, would be turned into a courtyard.

HRS would buy the building from the school district for $25,000, Morgan said, pointing out that restoring historic buildings is more costly than tearing them down and building new.

The apartment plan does not involve the pool or gym, which Fremont Public Schools Superintendent Jim Hieftje said he hopes will be preserved for community use, perhaps even as a senior center. The school district, city and other community partners are working to do that through a community recreation authority, he said.

A recreation committee has been established and wrote a grant to the Fremont Area Community Foundation for funding to help get the community recreation authority established, Hieftje said.

“We’re very excited about the prospects,” Hieftje said. “There’s still a lot of sentiment about that school.”